Leeds Mind promotes positive mental health and wellbeing and provides help and support to anyone who needs it in and around Leeds. We offer many services, including counselling, peer support, social prescribing, employment support, suicide bereavement support, creative wellbeing activities, mental health training and more. The aim of our work is to help people build on their strengths, overcome obstacles, and become more in control of their lives. We have faith and optimism in our clients and so the services we deliver are built around their needs. We support the people of Leeds to discover their own resources to ‘recover’ from periods of poor mental health, and to live life independently with their mental health condition.
Leeds Mind appoints external co‑opted members to its relevant committees in order to strengthen the breadth of experience and skills available. It recognises the very valuable contribution that co‑opted members make to the success of Leeds Mind and wants co‑opted members to feel that the job they do is rewarding and satisfying.
Co‑opted members are expected to contribute their professional, specialist, generalist and management skills to Leeds Mind’s committees in a non‑executive role.
This role provides strategic insight, challenge, and support to the Quality and Performance Committee, with a specific focus on race equity and broader EDIB issues. The role will help ensure the charity’s services and internal practices are aligned with the NHS Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) and tailored to meet the unique needs of the communities we serve.
Responsible to
Chair of Trustees
Hours
As a minimum, co‑opted members are expected to prepare for and attend all meetings of the relevant committee. Committee meetings are held quarterly and are up to two hours in duration.
Additionally, it would be beneficial, for the co‑opted member to attend Leeds Mind’s Race Equity Steering Group on a bi‑monthly basis where possible to enhance understanding of developing strategic and operational work.
Strategic Oversight & Advice
* Advise on the integration of race equity and EDI principles into the charity’s quality assurance and performance frameworks.
* Support alignment with the PCREF while adapting approaches to reflect the charity’s values, mission, and community needs.
Service Equity
* Provide scrutiny and guidance on how services are designed, delivered, and evaluated to ensure equitable access, experience, and outcomes for racialised and marginalised communities.
* Champion culturally responsive and trauma‑informed care models.
Workforce Equity
* Advise on HR practices, workforce development, and organisational culture to promote race equity and inclusion.
* Support the charity in developing inclusive recruitment, retention, and progression strategies.
Data & Impact
* Support the committee in interpreting and using data to monitor disparities, drive improvement, and measure impact.
* Promote the use of lived experience and qualitative insights alongside quantitative metrics.
Governance & Accountability
* Contribute to the committee’s assurance role by challenging assumptions, identifying risks, and promoting transparency in equity‑related performance.
* Ensure the charity remains accountable to the communities it serves, particularly those most affected by mental health inequalities.
* Attend committee meetings, induction, training and other events, as required.
* Get to know Leeds Mind through discussion with the Chair, CEO, Trustees, staff, volunteers and service users, reading relevant papers and participating in events.
* Comply with all governance policies and procedures.
* Represent and act in the best interests of Leeds Mind at all times.
Skills and experience
Essential
* Demonstrable expertise in race equity and/or broader EDI work within health, mental health, or social care settings.
* Strong understanding of systemic and institutional racism and its impact on mental health.
* Familiarity with the NHS PCREF or similar frameworks.
* Experience working with or within diverse communities, particularly those facing mental health inequalities.
* Commitment to anti‑racism, intersectionality, and inclusive practice.
* Ability to critically analyse data, policies, and performance reports.
* Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
* A commitment to safeguarding clients and others you may come into contact with as part of the role.
Desirable
* Lived experience of mental health services and/or of being from a racialised community.
* Experience in governance, quality assurance, or performance monitoring.
* Knowledge of charity sector governance and trustee responsibilities.
Support for the Co‑opted Board Committee Member
The Chair of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that co‑opted members either have the required knowledge, skills and experience or are supported to develop these within a reasonable time frame. A full induction is provided on the charity's mission, governance and PCREF alignment as well as training and development on governance and mental health.
Senior Leadership Team members will be available to provide information and support, as required. An option to ‘buddy’ with another Trustee on the Committee will be offered to provide an additional source of support.
Co‑opted members may also be invited to attend the Board and Managers Away Days, which are held twice a year.
All Leeds Mind volunteers have access to the Mindful Employer Plus Employee Assistance Programme and have the option of completing a Wellness Action Plan.
Our Quality & Performance Committee
The Quality and Performance Committee at Leeds Mind plays a vital role in ensuring that the organisation delivers high‑quality, effective mental health services that meet the needs of the local community.
It oversees and monitors the performance, safety, and effectiveness of services, ensuring that service delivery aligns with Leeds Mind’s strategic goals and values. The committee provides assurance to the Board of Trustees that services are not only meeting agreed standards but are also continuously improving through evidence‑based quality assurance processes. Where necessary, it challenges and escalates concerns to ensure accountability and drive positive change.
The committee hosts at least two Board members, the Quality, Performance & Impact Senior Officer, the Director of Operations and the CEO. Full minutes of the meetings are taken and circulated to the Board to inform decisions. The Committee reports to the Board on significant progress, key risks, issues, and their resolution.
Other requirements
Co‑opted members will receive supervision from the Chair of the Trustees and will attend Leeds Mind training as relevant to the role.
This role is a for a minimum 2 year term.
Application
To apply, please upload your CV and a Expression of Interest statement (no more than 500 words).
Contact information
For further information about the role please contact Ayesha Alves-Hey, Director of Operations.
Tel: 0113 3055800 Email: Ayesha.Alves-Hey@leedsmind.org.uk
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